OLYMPIC silver medallist Peter Waterfield is gunning for gold - four of them in fact - on his first return to competitive action at the British National Championships this weekend.

The Southampton splash sensation, who along with diving partner Leon Taylor grabbed Britain's first medal of last summer's Athens Games, is brimming with confidence ahead of the prestigious championships in South Yorkshire.

So much so that 24-year-old Waterfield is looking to scoop four gold medals which, if he achieves his goal, will be his first silverware since his heroics in Greece nearly six months ago.

"It's my first time back for a long time, so I'm hoping to put in a good run," said Waterfield, who took some deserved time off after the Olympics.

"I had a few weeks off and then as soon as the new year started I was back in full training. I'm just looking forward to getting my year underway. The Nationals is a good competition and it will be a good gauge for me to see where I am."

Waterfield can't wait to take to the boards again - particularly because his training pool at The Quays in Southampton was shut down for a few weeks before Christmas due to refurbishments.

"My pool closed so I've not really had much time to practice my dives," added Waterfield.

"A lot of my time has been working out of the pool, but I've been working on some new dives and been working on my fitness."

Waterfield will not showcase his new dives in Sheffield this weekend, but plans instead to produce the dives which made him a household name on the south coast last summer.

"The Olympics was great, but this is my first stepping stone on the road to Beijing (Olympics) in 2008.

"I want to make a good start. It's important I start the season well."

Waterfield had been looking forward to diving alongside Taylor in the 10m platform competition, the event which won the pair Britain's first diving medal since fellow countryman Brian Phelps won bronze in 1960.

But Taylor was involved in a car crash a fortnight ago and suffered whiplash, back and neck injuries.

He will not be competing and might not return to the pool for another two months.

"Me and Leon are very close, so it's a shame we can't dive together, but we'll still be putting in 100 per cent effort in as soon as he's fit again," said Waterfield. "My aim this season is to do well individually after my fifth place finish in the platform final in Athens.

"The Nationals will be a big test and hopefully I can win four golds. That would be the perfect start to the season."

Waterfield first takes to the boards tomorrow in the 1m springboard competition, followed by a performance alongside stand-in diving partner Tony Ally, another Olympian, in the 3m springboard synchro final.

Saturday sees Waterfield in action in the 3m springboard individual competition, followed by the 10m platform individual competition on Sunday.